Orton eyeing role as Dwight's backup

Injured Magic rookie looking ahead to big summer

Magic GM Otis Smith will take applications for the backup center position behind Dwight Howard for 2011-12. Can a kid who logged zero minutes and seldom practiced with the team win the job?

Is Daniel Orton that guy?

"I believe I am," Orton told me. "I believe I am for so many reasons, but I'd rather not say because it would only raise expectations higher. I'm not a sayer. I'm a doer."

As the Magic's first-round pick out of Kentucky, Orton, 20, couldn't do anything this season as a rookie but watch.

He didn't get on the floor after battling a lingering left knee injuries, which eventually required surgery in late December.

He partially tore the ACL as a junior in high school, and tore his meniscus as a senior, undergoing more surgery. He underwent arthroscopic surgery after playing his second game of a D-League stint with the New Mexico Thunderbirds.

Physically, Orton says his knee is sound, but he won't go full bore until sometime this summer.

"I haven't been comfortable on it yet. It's a mental thing now," he said. "Hopefully, over time, I'll forget about my knee and play."

Orton surprised Kentucky fans and NBA experts by leaving school after one season in which he backed up DeMarcus Cousins.

"As far as regrets, no, I don't have any about my decision," Orton said. "Everybody questioned me about it. Nobody understands why I was coming out, but I felt I was ready.

"Not playing is tough. I had a terrible summer league (in Orlando). I got hurt in the D-League. I feel like I have a lot to prove --- more than any other rookie in this draft."

Smith says Orton, 6-feet-10, has a shot at being Howard's backup, but it all will be up to Orton.

"The summer is going to be big for Daniel, no question," Smith said. "One hundred and 10 percent depends on Daniel."

Smith says that runaway draft pick Fran Vazquez of Spain could return to compete for the spot (I'll believe it when I see it.)

Smith said Orton --- listed at 255 pounds, but heavier --- needs to lose at least 10 pounds after a dormant season.

"I will come back in the best shape possible," Orton said.

Orton has a long ways to go to catch up.

Rookie go-getter

What was Orton's main role this season? Gopher.

That's life as a rookie. As we talked, second-year forward Earl Clark handed Orton his car keys after practice. "I need you to get my clothes in the back seat," Clark said, grinning.

Orton obliged. Performing that errand was typical of what veterans have made him do.

"I get doughnuts for the home-game shootarounds," he said. "I have to go to Popeye's for food for the team plane. Dwight eats a big plate of chicken. I order the 40-piece box, two orders of big mashed potatoes, two big red beans and four French fries."

On a road trip, he had to get a cab and go buy Gilbert Arenas an extension cord. Teammates give him their daily per diem for expenses.

"In San Antonio, at 3 a.m., I had to go to What-A-Burger for some guys," he said. "When I got back, they were asleep. I banged on their doors."

J-Rich's championship family

SG Jason Richardson's mission is to win an NBA title, but he does own a championship ring. It's tucked away in a safe at his mother's house.

He was a freshman at Michigan State when the Spartans won the NCAA championship in 2000, beating the Florida Gators. I asked him what he took away from that accomplishment.

"Memories," he said. "I got a ring, but it's the memories that count. Everybody on that team still keeps in contact with each other. We work out together and all hang out when we can, even the bench players.

"When I go to a city on the road, we go to dinner. I'm still linked with all those guys."

Two of J-Rich's ex-teammates, Morris Peterson and Mateen Cleaves, played 11 and six seasons in the NBA, respectively. Charlie Bell is with Golden State.

This 'n' That

The Magic have an $89 million payroll, ranking No. 5 in the world in team salaries, according to a study by ESPN The Mag and sportingintelligence.com. They say the top two highest team payrolls are soccer teams -- Barcelona (No.1) and Real Madrid (No. 2), with the Yankees (No. 3) and the L.A. Lakers (No.4). That said, Magic owner Rich DeVos must keep spending if he wants to win, keep Howard and overcome the $62 million mistake that is Gilbert Arenas' contract.. . .Former Magic F Pat Garrity has joined the Magic's TV team. Coach Stan Van Gundy spotted Garrity in his media scrum one day and said, "Garrity! You here again? I want to go to the school you're going to." Garrity is close to getting his MBA at Duke University. . .The Magic allowed Hawks C Zaza Pachulia to become available in the 2004 expansion draft.